Trinity Lions: In A League Of Their Own
By Jack Danilewicz
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The Trinity Christian School boys volleyball team has
finished its season in the Christian Schools Athletic
League undefeated two years in a row. Pictured are:
(front, from left) Gabe Amey, Ty Shintaku, Matt
L’Ecuyer, Keola Fellezs, Timmy Metcalf, Shaun
Kanoho, and (back) Solomon Firth, Ruairi Brady,
Michael Fisher, Moku Durant, Benji Ah Sing, Pono
Kaa, Tyler Beal and coach Carole Chong. Photo
from Kathy Beal.
When autumn of 2007 rolls around, Trinity Christian School’s boys volleyball team will be the hands-down favorite to win the Christian Schools Athletic League once again. But that is a part of the future. For now, the Lions are basking in the glow of a second consecutive undefeated season for grades 4-6.
Indeed, while it is hard in the sporting world not to look ahead, this week is clearly a time for reflection on Trinity’s campus.
“It’s been a big deal around here,” Trinity coach Carole Chong said. “The whole school has rallied around us. Everyone has been very supportive, especially the parents. I think we had every parent out for every game that we played.”
The Lions have won 20 matches in a row since September 2005. Located in Maunawili Valley, Trinity Christian School has 185 elementary students (not counting its pre-school) and operates under director Nancy Shaw on the the edge of Kawainui Marsh.
The boys volleyball team exemplifies the school’s strong values, according to Chong. Although they were league champions last year, complacency was never an issue this fall due to a team-oriented mind-set. Beginning Sept. 6, the first date they could hold a practice, the Lions had only a little over a week to prepare for CSAL play, which requires its members to play three games a week.
“We worked a lot on character-building and integrity this year,” said Chong, whose coaching staff also includes assistants Kathy Beal and Lani Kaa’a.“When it was time to practice, they knew it was time to work. They had a lot of tenacity, and they were very determined. They were eager and ready to get back to work (after their success in 2005). They were a very cohesive group and got along better than most teams.”
The Lions consisted of Solomon Firth, Ruairi Brady, Michael Fisher, Moku Durant, Benji Ah Sing, Pono Kaa’a, Tyler Beal, Gabe Arney, Ty Shintaku, Matt L’Ecuyer, Keola Fellezs, Timmy Metcalf and Shaun Kanoho. Ten members of Trinity’s 13-member roster are in the fifth grade, giving them one more year of eligibility. Chong praised the contributions of sixth-grader Michael Fisher, an outside hitter and the team’s captain.
“He was our strongest outside hitter and one of our most consistent hitters. His leadership skills were excellent. He’s a big brother type who is knowledgeable on the court and very responsible.”
The TCS girls volleyball team, which is also coached by Chong, was to begin practice last week for its upcoming season.
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